Construction for vented fecal receptacles

ABSTRACT

Receptacles constructed in accordance with certain principles are usable for anal ileostomy or colostomy purposes wherein a plastic bag or vinyl, polyethylene, or the like is provided with a body attachment means having an open gap or gaps such as indentations which may provide contraction and expansion with a patient&#39;&#39;s sphincter and/or venting. Such indentations form vent passages in the ring face regardless of any need for expansion or contraction so that devices of similar construction can be used where no expansion is needed. For example, for infants or persons having extremely loose or watery bowel movement and no sphincter expansion. Likewise constructions wherein expansion is not required are suitable for ileostomy or colostomy pouches applied to any required body area. In such instances, the rings can be constructed with one or more vent passages effected by gaps between the ends of adhesive members normally carried by the ring for adherence between the buttocks or to a body area. Modified gas escape vents are disclosed as variations of the invention.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,734,096 51 May 22,1973

Millenbach [54] CONSTRUCTION FOR VENTED FECAL RECEPTACLES [76] Inventor: Bluma Millenbach, 25 Roe Court,

Islip, L.I., N.Y. 11751 [22] Filed: July 21, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 164,653

[52] U.S. Cl ..128/283 [51] Int. Cl. ..A6lf 5/44 [58] Field of Search ..128/283, 294, 295

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,604,092 7/1952 Brown et al. ......128/294 2,756,750 7/1956 Pala ..l28/283 3,055,386 9/1962 Baxter ..128/283 3,522,807 8/1970 Millenbach.. ..l28/283 2,703,576 3/1955 Furr, Jr. ..128/283 Primary Examiner-Charles F. Rosenbaum Attorney-Zalkind, Horne & Shuster [57] ABSTRACT Receptacles constructed in accordance with certain principles are usable for anal ileostomy or colostomy purposes wherein a plastic bag or vinyl, polyethylene, or the like is provided with a body attachment means having an open gap or gaps such as indentations which may provide contraction and expansion with a patients sphincter and/or venting. Such indentations form vent passages in the ring face regardless of any need for expansion or contraction so that devices of similar construction can be used where no expansion is needed. For example, for infants or persons having extremely loose or watery bowel movement and no sphincter expansion. Likewise constructions wherein expansion is not required are suitable for ileostomy or colostomy pouches applied to any required body area. In such instances, the rings can be constructed with one or more vent passages effected by gaps between the ends of adhesive members normally carried by the ring for adherence between the buttocks or to a body area. Modified gas escape vents are disclosed as variations of the invention.

11 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PMENIEW 3734.095

INVENTOR.

BLUMA MILLEN BACH CONSTRUCTION FOR VENTED FECAL RECEPTACLES In my previous US. Pat. No. 3,522,807, for Fecal Receptacle issued Aug. 4, 1970, there is disclosed a pouch or bag of sheet plastic having an aperture around which is secured a support ring of any suitable material. The particular novelty of the invention of the patent is use of folded pleats providing crevices in the support ring so that when the ring is attached adjacent the anus of a patent by an adhesive surface on the ring, it can be contracted by folding of the pleats and effect expansion during defecation due to expansion of the sphincter.

After a great deal of experimentation, testing and development, I have found the fecal bags or pouches of the kind generally described in the patent can be used for patients where the feces is exceedingly loose or watery without any need for expansion of the support ring or the pouch aperture because there is no expansion of the sphincter. However, I have also found that an important factor in the use of such pouches is some means of permitting venting. In the construction shown in the patent this is accomplished through the folded pleats, which do not adhere to the skin, and therefore permit gas to escape from the pouch.

In the present construction a somewhat different structure for permitting venting is disclosed and, further, I have found that certain of the principles taught by me can be utilized for colostomy and ileostomy patients, all as described hereinbelow. In such cases, there is no need for expansion of the support ring but means for venting is highly desirable just as in receptacles used for anal attachment.

Accordingly, the present disclosure describes structures for fecal receptacles for a variety of purposes with or without contraction and expansion but all with venting means. a a

A detailed description of my invention now follows in conjunction with the appended drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a support ring for one form of the invention.

2 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of the arrows 2-2 of FIG. 1.

3 is aplan view of a circular type of pouch particularly for anal use.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing two sheets of plastic vinyl film of which the pouch is made.

FIG. Sisa plan view showing an adhesive member attached to the support ring.

FIG. 6 is an edge view of the adhesive member of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows an assembly of a support ring on a pouch.

FIG. 8 is a section through 8--8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a section similar to FIG. 8 but of a modified form.

FIG. 10 shows a modified pouch for colostomy or ileostomy purposes.

FIG. 11 is a plan view to a larger scale showing a support ring on a colostomy or ileostomy pouch and particularly constructed for that purpose.

FIG. 12 is a modification of a support ring for colostomy or ileostomy purposes, and

FIG. 13 is a side view of, the construction illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a further modified construction.

previously described patent is illustrated. One or more tabs, or no tabs as later disclosed, are possible depending on use. In this modified construction the material of the ring is of a suitably flexible and compressible ma terial, preferably sheet plastic which may be about 0.015 inches thick and it is die cut to the shape shown,

including the central aperture 18, generally circular but other shapes being possible, and compressed gaps or indentations such as indicated at 22. Such indentations, as seen in FIG. 2, are deeply indented into the thickness of the ring to form a thin web. Thus, it is possible when such a ring is applied between the buttocks of a patient at the anal area to cause arching at the thinned web as suggested by the phantom line in FIG. 2. Such bending or crinkling of the gap areas which necessarily lessens the circumferential dimensions of the gap and by utilizing a plurality of such gaps a contracting effect is achieved to conform to a closed sphincter. The degree of contraction is, of course, a matter of the width of the gaps and their number, the nature of the material, depth, etc. In FIG. 1, four indentations are shown but it is understood that any number of such indentations may be used and it is a matter of choice of material and desired effect as well as indentation dimension. In any event, the indentations form vent gaps for gases from a pouch such as the pouch 25 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

In FIG. 3, the outline of the support ring is shown in phantom for illustrative purposes around aperture 28 of the pouch. The pouch is of any suitable sheet plastic and may be simply made by combining two discs such as 28 and 30 as seen in FIG. 4, by the simple expedient Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a securement or adhesive member 36 of suitable sheet material having pressure sensitive adhesive coating on both sides 38 and 40 is applied on each arcuate area of the ring between indentations 22 adhering to respective arcuate areas and tabs 15. The material of the adhesive member can be of any desired thickness for a particular purpose as will be apparent. Where used for anal application it would be exceedin'gly thin with pressure sensitive adhesive on both faces, one face, for example, the face 38 being for adherence to the support of 'ring 10, leaving an exposed face 40 for application to the skin of the patient after a protective strip has been removed, all in accordance with the teaching of my prior patent. In such case the thickness of the adhesive memberis of little consequence except that it should be reasonably thin so as not to cause discomfort by increasing the bulk of the ring. A paper-thin member 0.001 or 0.002 inches thick is suitable.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a support ring 10 is shown mounted on a pouch 25 and this is accomplished very simply by placing it around the aperture 18 0f the pouch and thereafter heat sealing narrow rings 43 and 47 of the support ring directly to the pouch material, that is to the upper sheet 28 as seen in FIG. 3. The heat sealed areas 43 and 47 necessarily cross the indentations 22 but this is of no consequence since no blockage is caused that would prevent gas escape.

The important factor is that the indentation 22 not be blocked in any way for passage of gases venting from the pouch outwardly thereof. Thus, as seen in the fragmentary cross section of FIG. 8, wherein like reference characters refer to FIGS. 1-7, the indentation 22 will be seen to have a clear passageway across the support ring 10.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 7 and 8, each tab has a protective strip 50 of corresponding shape which can be readily removed to expose the receptive and adhesive area, all as taught in my prior patent.

From the above description it will be apparent that a very. simple and sanitary fecal receptacle can be produced which is a matter of choice of materials and dimensions and within the skill of persons working in the art. It can be made with as little or as much expansibility at the aperture as desired. If, for example, the article is to be used for persons having only watery excretions, or for infants, little or no expansion being needed, the gaps 22 can be quite narrow and in fact only one venting indentation need be used. In such cases it will be appreciated that a single continuous adhesive member is used instead of several members together with a continuous stripping member. Such an adhesive member need only be fashioned so as not to protrude into the indentation 22, i.e., by providing it with a cut-away gap registering with the indentation in the support ring.

In keeping with the above discussion and particularly where the receptacle is used for colostomy or ileostomy patients, assuming one indentation of suitable width is used no contraction of the ring member (FIG. 9) would be required and no indentation in it. In such case as seen in FIG. 9 the adhesive member 36' would be of sufficient thickness so that a cut-away gap 22' across it would suffice and support ring 10' has no indentation.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a pouch 55 of a shape suitable for colostomy or ileostomy purposes is shown. The particular shape for such a pouch has heretofore been known and used. However, in keeping with the invention a support ring 10" similar to the support ring 10 is applied but in this instance, as shown in FIG. 11 only a single indentation 22" is used, and this being at the top of the ring when the ring is applied to the pouch. The reason for this is that no expansion of the ring is required but the indentation provides for venting and a-single indentation is probably sufficient although several adjoining indentations could be used. It is disposed at the top of the ring as applied to the patient so that there will be no leakage possible of fecal matter. In the construction shown, four tabs are used and four protective strips such as the strips 62 and 65. Since only one indentation is used, the entire ring surface would be adhesive coated except for the indentation, and it will be appreciated that the pressure sensitive adhesive coating can be applied directly to the ring surface, without intermediary adhesive members. The upper protective strips 65 could be slightly foreshortened to reveal the indentation, although this is, of course, not really necessary since the shape of the pouch would indicate its location. Accordingly, the protective strips could be all of the same size and individually peelable, or a single integral stripping member could be used.

A further modification for colostomy and ileostomy purposes is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, likewise utilizing a pouch but where the support ring 10" does not have tabs such as the tabs 15 of FIG. 1 but is a simple ring with no indentation. The ring is attached to the pouch by heat sealing of an outer peripheral margin 43', as in all constructions described herein and preferably also at the inner peripheral margin assumed as below the inner phantom circle in FIG. 12. In this inyond the adhesive surface 40' so as to be readily gripped either at its outer edge or its inner edge within the aperture of the ring.

In the above described modification the indentation 22" is not an indentation in the support ring but is an indentation in the adhesive member 36', effecting a gap between the opposed edges of the adhesive outer surface as clearly seen in FIG. 12. The adhesive member 36' is shown as exaggeratedly thickened in FIG. 13 purely for purposes of illustration. In any event the thickness need be only sufficient so that the indentation can be compressively effected. For example, if the adhesive member is of plastic then the thickness need not be any more than the thickness of the support ring, generally about 0.015 inches. However, it is conceivable that the adhesive member may be made of a ring of some soft material such as paper or cloth, matted or woven, in which case a greater thickness would be used. Further, in a construction such as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 the vent gap could be a cut slot through the adhesive member rather than a compressed indentation. In that connection, it will be apparent that the same type of construction for the adhesive member as described for FIGS. 12 and 13 could also be used for the tab type rings of FIGS. 10 and 11.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the invention is applicable for a variety of uses and to a variety of patients, bedridden or ambulatory, for either solid or watery feces, for adults or infants, and for the collection of stool specimens in which case smaller pouches may be usable.

The illustrations hereinabove given are thought sufficient to teach the concepts and principles involved and the teaching is applicable to a variety of changes and designs well within the skill of persons in the field. For example, the support ring might obviously have a cutaway gap for a gas escape vent instead of a compressed indentation for venting purposes. It could be heat sealed at the gap edges to the top sheet of the pouch if desired. Such a cut-away gap is disclosed for the adhesive member of FIG. 9, and could as well be applied to the support ring.

The construction just described is illustrated in FIG. 14 and the gapped support ring 10"" will be understood to have an adhesive facing directly applied to it, all edges being heat sealed to pouch 55 leaving gap 22"" open.

The dimensions for the openings of the vents are not critical. The radial length is determined by the adhesive area radial dimension and the width, if only gas escape is sought, may be one-sixteenth to one-fourth inch, although this range is only suggested as expedient for most cases. As a matter of design dependent on the nature of materials used, one of more openings may be used, and of course, where the receptacle isrequired to conform to sphincter expansion the flexibility of the material becomes an important design factor for gap width. The depth of the gap depends on the width and may be about one sixty-fourth to one thirty-second inch, again dependent on materials used.

I claim:

1. A fecal receptacle comprising a pouch with an aperture; reinforcing means comprising a ring of flexible material secured thereto having an adhesive surface substantially surrounding said aperture and effecting a radial marginal face around said aperture of adhesive material for adhering said pouch to a person with the aperture thereof around a body aperture; and at least one open gap means extending across said ring confined within the depth of the thickness thereof so as to be within the plane of said ring and disposed to effect a gas escape vent from said aperture to the exterior of said ring for venting said pouch.

2. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said open gap means being at least one indentation in said ring material.

3. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said ring 'being of flexible sheet plastic material and said gap means comprising a plurality of angularly spaced indentations in said ring each having a circumferential dimension sufficient to permit arching so that said ring may be contracted to be fitted to a contracted sphincter but capable of effecting expansion with opening thereof; said adhesive material being on said ring face and disposed between indentations.

4. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said ring and said pouch being of heat scalable material, said ring being heat sealed to said pouch at the peripheral margins of said ring.

5. A fecal receptacle as set forth in-claim 1, said open gap means being a cut gap in said ring.

6. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said pouch aperture having an upper side and said open gap means in said ring being disposed so as to be at said upper side when said pouch is applied to a person to prevent leakage from said pouch.

7. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said open gap means being at least one identation in said material, said pouch aperture having an upper side and said open gap means in said ring being disposed so as to be at saidupper side when said pouch is applied to a person to prevent leakage.

8. A fecal receptacle as set forth. in claim 1, said ring being of flexible sheet plastic material and said open gap means comprising a plurality of angularly spaced identations in said ring each having a circumferential dimension sufficient to permit arching so that said ring may be contracted to be fitted to :a contracted sphincter but capable of effecting expansion with opening thereof; said adhesive material being on said ring face and disposed between indentations, said ring and said pouch being of heat scalable material, said ring being heat sealed to said pouch at the peripheral margins of said ring. a

9. A fecal receptacleas set forth in claim 1, said open gap means being a cut gap in said ring, said pouch aperture having an upper side and said open gap means in said ring being disposed so as to be at said upper side when said pouch is applied to a person.

10. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, and peelable protective means on said adhesive surface.

11. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said open gap means being at least one indentation in the ring material, said ring and said pouch being of heat scalable material, said ring being heat sealed to said pouch at the peripheral margins of said ring. 

1. A fecal receptacle comprising a pouch with an aperture; reinforcing means comprising a ring of flexible material secured thereto having an adhesive surface substantially surrounding said aperture and effecting a radial marginal face around said aperture of adhesive material for adhering saId pouch to a person with the aperture thereof around a body aperture; and at least one open gap means extending across said ring confined within the depth of the thickness thereof so as to be within the plane of said ring and disposed to effect a gas escape vent from said aperture to the exterior of said ring for venting said pouch.
 2. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said open gap means being at least one indentation in said ring material.
 3. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said ring being of flexible sheet plastic material and said gap means comprising a plurality of angularly spaced indentations in said ring each having a circumferential dimension sufficient to permit arching so that said ring may be contracted to be fitted to a contracted sphincter but capable of effecting expansion with opening thereof; said adhesive material being on said ring face and disposed between indentations.
 4. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said ring and said pouch being of heat sealable material, said ring being heat sealed to said pouch at the peripheral margins of said ring.
 5. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said open gap means being a cut gap in said ring.
 6. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said pouch aperture having an upper side and said open gap means in said ring being disposed so as to be at said upper side when said pouch is applied to a person to prevent leakage from said pouch.
 7. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said open gap means being at least one identation in said material, said pouch aperture having an upper side and said open gap means in said ring being disposed so as to be at said upper side when said pouch is applied to a person to prevent leakage.
 8. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said ring being of flexible sheet plastic material and said open gap means comprising a plurality of angularly spaced identations in said ring each having a circumferential dimension sufficient to permit arching so that said ring may be contracted to be fitted to a contracted sphincter but capable of effecting expansion with opening thereof; said adhesive material being on said ring face and disposed between indentations, said ring and said pouch being of heat sealable material, said ring being heat sealed to said pouch at the peripheral margins of said ring.
 9. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said open gap means being a cut gap in said ring, said pouch aperture having an upper side and said open gap means in said ring being disposed so as to be at said upper side when said pouch is applied to a person.
 10. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, and peelable protective means on said adhesive surface.
 11. A fecal receptacle as set forth in claim 1, said open gap means being at least one indentation in the ring material, said ring and said pouch being of heat sealable material, said ring being heat sealed to said pouch at the peripheral margins of said ring. 